Alliance scrambles to shore up June 4 vigil attendance

Pro-democracy supporters should join a candlelight vigil on Thursday night to remember the victims of the bloody Tiananmen crackdown in 1989, organizers said.

Albert Ho, chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China, said people should set aside any disagreement with the group’s objectives, according to public broadcaster RTHK.

Ho said standing up and speaking out for the Tiananmen victims is the right thing to do, regardless of how people view the alliance.

He said he can understand if some people feel detached or if they have come to treat the vigil as just another public activity.

Many people want the alliance to continue the practice because once it’s suspended, it will be difficult to resume, he said.

The vigil has been held every year since 1990 in Hong Kong, the only place in China where it’s allowed.

Alliance secretary Lee Cheuk-yan urged groups to gather in Victoria Park rather than hold their own vigils in order to maintain the impact of the event.

Meanwhile, the University of Hong Kong student union said it will not attend.

Chairman Billy Fung said the union disagrees with the alliance’s aim to build a democratic China.

Instead, the union will hold its own memorial on the school campus.

Civic Passion, which describes itself as a “localist” group, said it will mark June 4 with activities in various parts of Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong police said they are ready with crowd control measures.

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